Americans organize ship to join Gaza flotilla

JTA

July 21, 2010 | 8:14 am

Americans opposed to Israel’s blockade of Gaza are organizing a ship from the United States to take part in an international flotilla.

The flotilla, set to sail to Gaza in September or October, will be made up of ships from India, Europe, Canada, South Africa and the Middle East. The organizers, who oppose the naval blockade of Gaza, hope to name the ship from the U.S. The Audacity of Hope, after President Obama’s second autobiographical book.

“From the deck of The Audacity of Hope, we will be in a powerful and unique position to challenge U.S. foreign policy and affirm the universal obligation to uphold human rights and international law,” organizers wrote on their website, UStoGaza.org.

Organizers are trying to raise $370,000 through the website to pay for a ship, crew and licensing and registration of the boat. They plan to carry 40 to 60 people onboard.

Among the over 70 people who have signed the appeal for money are Lara Lee, the woman who smuggled out a video of the flotilla incident in May and Michael Ratner, director of the Center for Constitutional Rights.

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